Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, just Aura, Hallow, and Shikyo.

Epilogue

The blackness of sleep was all that surrounded her for the moment, and she was willing to keep it that way. Usually, she could fall asleep at a whim, as can the rest of her kind. But this time, she had the most difficult time and it had nothing to do with the pain she was still in.

Whimpering as the blackness around her began to fade off into the beginnings of a dream, she found herself completely unable to move as the battle from earlier reenacted itself. But this time, she was completely helpless to do anything. Never could she move when Shikyo had Hallow pinned to the ground. Nor could she move as she watched in terror as the Ninjask tore that halo completely free of its invisible roots. Nor could she move as she watched her only friend slip into the cold embrace of Death.

She tried to call out, to scream, but she was mute in this dream too. A whimper couldn't even escape her throat as Shikyo turned his attention to her and lunged for that final blow…

Aura jolted up with a scream, wincing at her bandaged injuries and at the light shining in her eyes. Shielding them with a paw as she tried to orientate herself, she saw she was in a dark hospital room. A flood of memories came pouring back and she whimpered as she clutched her blanket.

"Hallow?"

"Shhhh, I'm here." Came a soft voice beside her and she turned her attention to the light that nearly blinded her. It was a halo and beneath that was-

Immediately she began to cry with relief, a smile growing on her face as she made no further hesitation in making her joy verbally known. "I-I'm so g-glad you're okay!" The Shedinja gave a gentle nod and she sniffled before she glanced around in confusion. She was sure that the husk was being kept in a separate room. "How did you sneak in here?"

"Ghost-type, ninja, the fact that your door was unlocked. Whichever you choose, that's the answer I'll go with." He told her and she couldn't keep back a small giggle, just staring at the husk with big glistening eyes even as he continued. "Are you alright, Aura?"

"Me?" she squeaked. "What about you?"

"You're the one who's injured."

"And you're the one who almost died!" She sniffled again, her tears resuming their emotional flow. Seeing this, Hallow hesitated before gently reassuring her.

"I'm fine now. Thank you."

Aura wiped at her eyes and nose, hiccupping before raising her arms in a gesture for a hug. The Shedinja made no hesitation in flying over to her, allowing her to snuggle him like a long-lost plushie. And so it was for a few moments before Aura got her shaky voice to work.

"I'm sorry. You were right earlier, about these Tasks being dangerous," she piped. "This was all my fault. If I had only listened to you, then you wouldn't have gotten hurt and-"

"No," Hallow interrupted. "It wasn't your fault. Last I checked, even normal Abra can't see into the future."

"Still, I-" She couldn't even choke out the rest of her words before the Shedinja interrupted again with a firm tone.

"Still, the events that occurred were out of your control. Don't blame yourself on Fate's behalf." He felt her face snuggle tighter against him and he wished he had the mobility to pat her head and back soothingly. "And you were right with what you told me. I can't let what happened to Skeet hold me back from doing our job. I promise to no longer be a hindrance to our team."

"You're not a hindrance." Aura muttered. "You're just trying to look out for me."

"Even so, I suppose I can back off a little bit, allow you some freedom," He would smile if he could. "How about after the trial, we go help Andy with that final Task? If you're feeling up to it."

Aura looked at him in surprise before her tail began to wag. "For realsies?"

"For realsies."

She tightened her hug on him, wincing a bit at the sharp pain that erupted as a result, but happy nonetheless. "Thanks, buddy. Although I think we should still skip out, given the circumstances."

"Agreed."

"YOU'RE AS FREAKY AS YOU WERE THE LAST TIME WE MET!"

Here we go again. Even in the formal setting of the courtroom, Aura still couldn't keep back her phobia of the Spiritomb looming over them from the judge's podium. Even when all eyes were upon her, she didn't care as she cowered in her seat, her paws clutching her head and her tail wrapping around her protectively.

"It's alright," Hallow whispered. "Remember what I said before? Just do it again, okay?"

"I dunno if I can…" Aura muttered back softly, peeking towards the ghost and her fur bristling at the sight. "STOP LOOKING AT ME!" she shrieked, head desking unceremoniously as she continued clutching at the fur on her head. "For cripe's sake, I THINK I'D RATHER DEAL WITH HIM INSTEAD," –she gestured vaguely in the direction of the restrained Ninjask.- "AND HE WAS THE ONE WHO TRIED TO KILL US!"

"Ms. Aura, we do require that you behave yourself." Jury stated firmly, but not unkindly.

"STOP TALKING!" And there, she seemed to have fainted, for she fell silent as her face remained plastered to the desk. Hallow nudged her and didn't get a response, and he gave a mental sigh. He found it kind of sad that this was actually a typical occurrence…

"Well, that's one way to quiet down…" Jury muttered softly before rambling to himself again. However he cut off his muttering conversation with himself to carry on with the trial. "Andy, read the charges."

"Shikyo the Ninjask stands before the courtroom accused of two counts of Attempted Murder." Andy started before looking to Jury as he added. "He's also confessed to First-Degree Murder as well, Your Honor, of which I recorded and further evidence can be seen dangling from his neck."

"Indeed," Jury hissed, staring at the disembodied halo before looking the accused right in the eye. "How do you plead, Ninjask?"

For a long moment, Shikyo simply glared back at the Spiritomb, tugging a bit on the Ariados webbing bound around his arms and wings before giving a malicious smirk. "Guilty."

Jury was a bit surprised as most Pokemon wouldn't have admitted to such crimes so easily, even in the face of overwhelming odds. But it was obvious that the ninja was proud of what he did, and it became even more apparent as Shikyo offered a contemptuous laugh.

"As if you're any better than I, Spiritomb."

"What're you talking about, insect?" Jury growled, the green orbs surrounding him spinning faster.

"108 souls, I believe. 108 minds respond to my own," Shikyo hissed. "Each of you bound together to that stone as punishment for your crimes." Another contemptuous laugh came from his throat. "Crimes much more heinous than my own. If that is not the greatest act of hypocrisy…"

Silence as the two glared at each other before Jury spoke calmly despite his anger at being called out. "But at least, we're willing to repent and we have changed our ways. You are not willing to do either. That's the difference between we and you."

The Ninjask merely scoffed dismissively before continuing in regards of his current situation. "Truth be told, the Abra is of no importance to me; she just got in my way, and she had what was coming to her," he growled. "It's the Shedinja I wanted to end." He huffed with a shake of his head. "And it's pathetic how you all think that shell is actually worth this. It's not even alive."

"What?!" Aura couldn't help but pipe up in a spark of anger, apparently fully conscious as she looked up from the table to glare at him. "How could you say something like that?! Of course, he's alive! He thinks and he feels just like you, just like me, just like everyone else!"

Shikyo merely gave her a glance before elaborating, staring Hallow straight in the eyes as he spoke. "It's just an inanimate object, completely devoid of life. And the soul within is already dead or never has been alive in the first place," He hissed. "It has no rights. It's just property. It was shed from Ninjask and it belongs to Ninjask. And thus, Ninjask such as myself can do with it as we please."

"Is that how you really see me, see my kind?" Hallow whispered sadly. "We devote our very existence to you, in protecting you and treating you as equals… And you treat me like dirt."

"Did my brother treat me as an equal?" Shikyo snarled, his eyes sharpening their glare. "Did he protect me from those Rescuers? From getting banished? No. He sent them to take me out; he was the one who banished me! And he never treated me equally." He gave a sharp tilt of his head. "Does THAT sound like devotion to you?!"

"Perhaps if you had only changed your attitude, then such actions wouldn't have been made against you," Hallow told him. "And although Loren did those things to you, it doesn't change the fact that he still loves you."

Shikyo only gave a huff, blatantly brushing off the Shedinja's words. Silence hung in the courtroom as Jury contemplated the proper punishment, rambling on with himself once again.

Eventually reaching a consensus, he picked up his gavel within his ghostly energy. "Mr. Shikyo, as punishment for your crimes, we hereby sentence you to death by the Gallows." He grinned almost giddily. "And you will serve as the first example to any other criminal who dares enter our town. Court is dismissed."

He was about to give the finishing knock when Aura couldn't help but speak out in terror.

"Wait, you're going to kill him?!" she started before shaking her head. "No, I object to that!"

"Overruled," Jury chirped in response, his grin never dying. But the Abra only continued to shake her head.

"Nah-uh!" she said. "There's no reason to kill him! I don't want him dead, and neither does Hallow! And we were the victims! So if we don't want it, why do it?!"

"Naïve child," Jury chided. "We kill him now to keep him from committing future crimes and thus protecting the citizens."

"Then just keep him locked up or something!" Aura continued to object. "He can't be a threat to anyone if he's in prison!"

"A rather cruel fate to bestow upon a creature like a Ninjask," Jury replied calmly. "There's some things in life worse than death, and when it comes to Pokemon like him, confinement is one of them. Now we suggest you calm down and take a seat, before we turn this into a case of Insubordination."

Aura faltered a bit at the threat and forced herself to back off. Sitting back in her spot, she can only give a whimper as Jury spoke up.

"The sentencing shall begin at midday sharp. We expect the town to be there to witness it. You're all dismissed and Andy," He turned to the robot in question. "Keep that insect locked up in the meanwhile."

"Yes, sir."

It was a somber time indeed as Aura and Hallow stood among the crowd, gathered around one of the Gallows they built earlier. At the head of the crowd was Jury, and on the Gallows itself was Andy and Shikyo, the latter with the noose already set around his neck. The Ninjask didn't seem bothered by any of this, just calmly looking up at the sky.

"Let this all be an example to everyone," Jury barked, his menacing grin growing as if in delight of the current events. "If anyone takes even a miniscule step out of line, this is the fate you can look forward to." He looked towards the Ninjask, growling under his breath as he spoke. "Any last words, bug?"

Shikyo merely glanced down at them before turning his attention back to the sky, his voice calm. "I regret nothing." He didn't seem interested in saying more, closing his eyes as he awaited his end with dignity.

Jury turned his gaze to the Golurk and gave a silent nod. Andy nodded back and he had no second thoughts as he pulled the lever. At once, the platform dropped from under Shikyo and the cicada fell, his wings trying instinctively to flap, but rendered useless by his bonds. Unfortunately, the exoskeleton of his neck did not break and he knew instantly that his death will be a slow one. Although he's fully accepted his fate, his body immediately began to struggle desperately, trying unsuccessfully to wriggle loose or to at least get a breath.

Aura couldn't get herself to watch, burying her face into Hallow as he hovered silently beside her. The Shedinja didn't want to watch either, but couldn't look away. Unlike Aura, he wasn't so fervent against the death penalty and he was pretty indifferent to it in general, as to be expected from a predatory Pokemon like him. But this was a Ninjask…

Shikyo didn't know how much longer he could last. His lungs felt like they were going to explode and he could do little about it. Already he had fallen limp, reserving his oxygen in vain as his mind began growing black with the beginnings of unconsciousness. He was about to welcome it when he felt something odd. It was as if his body had grown lighter. Was this Death?

No, he noticed that his body had gotten support, yet he felt nothing actually holding him. But he did feel the results as the noose's strain on his neck eased and air was finally allowed to flow into him. He resisted the instinct to gasp for breath and instead slowly took in small wisps, enough to keep him conscious and inconspicuous enough to not raise suspicion.

He didn't understand why this was happening but he was questioning nothing, especially when he felt the web restraining his arms and wings begin to loosen. Biding his time, he awaited the perfect opportunity.

Looser…

Looser…

Finally, he tore his claw free of his restraints and in a flash, he lashed out at the noose and he sliced the rope easily. Falling the rest of the way to the ground, what little air he had was forced back out and he coughed and gasped for breath, shakily pulling the loosened web from his wings.

At once, the guards lunged for him, the Pokemon piling onto him and wrestling amongst each other to get the Ninjask restrained. But when one of the guards pulled free with the supposed prisoner, he blinked when he found that he was just holding a small log. Everyone casting their confused eyes around, it became obvious that the Ninjask was long gone…

Aura couldn't bring herself to give a proper goodbye to the town of Gambitville. Jury was in a very foul mood for having lost a criminal and whilst she thought Ghost-types were terrifying, an angry Ghost-type was fear beyond comprehension. It's best to just give the departing message to Andy and leave as soon as possible.

Hallow hasn't said a word as he followed Aura, and the Abra couldn't exactly think of a way to break the silence herself. On one hand, she knew both of them were relieved that the Ninjask escaped death. On the other hand, that meant a murderer with a vendetta was now on the loose…

They both silently wondered if they did the right thing…

"Has your Teleport energy restored itself yet?" Hallow muttered softly after several hours had passed.

"If it has, I would've used it a long time ago, trust me…" Aura muttered back, growing exhausted from the building heat. "At least we're almost out of the deser-" Her ears practically shot up on her head as she cut herself off mid-sentence, automatically amplifying her mental scanning.

"What is it…?" Hallow's concerned voice whispered.

Aura didn't answer, focusing on identifying the source of her disturbance and once she did, she felt her heart stop and her fur bristle. She couldn't get her voice to work for a minute and when it did, it was a strangled squeak. "He's back…"

And no sooner had she said that before the low buzzing was heard and the Ninjask appeared in front of them, blocking their path home. Aura cringed in fear, casting her eyes around for an escape route so they could-

"You cannot run from me, Abra, so do not waste your time in trying." The ninja barked, glaring at the little Psychic before Hallow placed himself protectively between them.

"Please, we don't wish for another fight…" the Shedinja muttered, hoping to appease the other insect.

"I have no desire to fight," Shikyo replied, surprising them both.

"Then-" Aura began, only for the Ninjask to interrupt her in an unexpectedly soft voice.

"You both saved my life."

Blinking, Aura exchanged glances with Hallow before clearing her throat. "We… don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't try to deceive me," Shikyo warned, his red eyes narrowing as his claws twitched restlessly. This got the two nervous, but thankfully, the cicada showed no interest in attacking them. "You two eased my suffocation and loosened my bonds. Why?"

Silence hung in the air for a few moments before Aura spoke up, fiddling with her paws. "I… I meant what I said during the trial. I don't support the death penalty and I couldn't bear to watch you suffer anymore…"

Getting that answer, Shikyo shifted his attention to Hallow, his demeanor growing with suspicion. "I try to kill you and you repay me by sparing my life. Out of the two of you, you had less of a reason to interfere with my execution."

At this, the Shedinja merely gazed back into his eyes evenly before responding in the best and only way he could. "Is it not the purpose of my kind to protect yours?" He saw the Ninjask stiffen with a growl and he submissively dimmed his halo. "You may deny it, but it's still the truth. You have inflicted great harm upon me, but I cannot change the nature of my species."

"A naïve nature and a naïve choice," Shikyo responded without missing a beat, looking back and forth between the two. "I could kill you both right now and continue along my way with a new trophy and a good meal," –Aura visibly cringed at being referred to as dinner- "but I do have some sense of honor. You two gave me my life, so in return I shall give you yours."

The Ninjask backed up a bit, beginning to turn.

"Wait!" Aura couldn't help but pipe up, a thought occurring in her mind. The Ninjask hesitating to glare at her over his shoulder, the Abra reached into Hallow's body before slowly taking a few steps towards the Bug-type. "Here." She held out a small object that glinted in the sun.

Narrowing his eyes, the ninja turned back to face her, watching her suspiciously before looking to the offering. It was a coin…

"What is this?" he grunted.

"A souvenir we got from the wells. We were going to keep it as a reminder of our adventure here," She gave a glance to Hallow before looking back to Shikyo. "But if anyone needs to remember this, it's you."

Shikyo only frowned at her for a while before slowly flying closer. Both Aura and Hallow stiffened, neither feeling comfortable with this short distance between them and this murderer. But such feelings were shoved aside as the Ninjask took the coin in his claws, -nobody noticing the extremely brief white glow that emanated from it as the transaction was made-, and the ninja examined the thing before glaring at the other Pokemon.

No further word was spoken and Shikyo vanished from sight, his buzzing wings growing fainter as he flew off. Aura blinked, but gave a sigh of relief as she slumped. Looking at Hallow, she smiled faintly.

"That went surprisingly well…" she muttered.

"Yes," Hallow agreed, staring off in the direction his living counterpart flew before turning back to Aura. "As did our mission. I'll admit, I expected us both to be far worse off than we are. Especially you."

"Hey!" Aura objected, the Shedinja quickly adding more.

"And I'll also admit, you took being with Andy on a near constant basis surprisingly well too. I'm proud of you, Aura." With that, the Shedinja nudged his muzzle against her in a nuzzle before continuing along their path, Aura hurrying to catch up and looking at her friend in confusion.

"Whaddya mean?" she questioned, tilting her head. After all, Andy was a pretty nice and reasonable guy that just radiated a sense of security that would make anyone feel safe. Plus, he saved them both from an inevitable demise. Why would she feel uncomfortable around him?

She wasn't left in the dark too long before Hallow answered with a tone that suggested he would be smiling. "Andy's a Ghost-type."

Aura froze in her tracks, eyes wide and mouth agape. Even the wind seemed to stop at the news. Looking back at the Abra, Hallow waited patiently in silence for Aura's mind to fully soak it in. And when it did, only one thing could be said:

"FOR REALSIES?!"

The end! I have BIG plans for Shikyo, unfortunately I'm still unable to fully implement them. Just waiting for the right opportunity... Anyway, I hoped you guys liked this story and will review! *hugs*

P.S. I LOOOOOVE that classic log-decoy-ninja-technique! I had to include it here! :D